The Zongo Girls for Education (Zonged GH), a non-governmental organization that advocates for adolescent and female education and health in zongo and deprived communities, has embarked on a special nationwide COVID-19 campaign targeted at Zongo Communities.

Even though there is an ongoing national COVID-19 campaign spearheaded by government and allied health agencies, the group has identified a special concern regarding the threat of COVID-19 to Zongo Communities and the need to focus their campaign there.

Executive Director of ZONGED GH, Safia Abdallah Raabo, who is also a public health expert, said Muslims perform ablution at least five times per day and it is important for them to wash their hands with soap under running water before they start the ablution.

“Washing of hands with soap under running water is the main preventive campaign. But we have realised that because Muslims perform ablution at least five times a day, many of them won’t wash their hands with with soap before performing ablution. And with ablution, your hand gets into direct contact with tour mouth, nose and eyes that is why we have embarked on this project to inform people on Covid 19 prevention and management protocols,” said Safia in an interview.

“In this campaign, we also debunk myths surrounding the disease and allay the fears and panic that has been created,” she added.

Zonged GH, has since been engaging Zongo Communities through the mass media with the support of the Zongo Development Fund, GBC as well as the endorsement of the Office of the National Chief Imam.

Zonged GH’s campaign is not a departure from the World Health Organization’s protocols on the infection, prevention and control of Covid-19.

The group has been throwing more light on WHO and government of Ghana COVID-19 protocols, including but not limited to, regular hand washing with soap under running water for at least twenty (20) seconds, social distancing, personal hygiene, appropriate etiquette on coughing and sneezing, stress management, physical activity and healthy diets, and the right referral channels to seek medical attention.

The campaign has specifically been preaching to members of the Muslim community to handle their ablution cans (buuta) more hygienically through the use of hand sanitizers and regular washing of the cans.

Beside media engagements, the group has also resorted to digital channels to disseminate campaign messages in the form of audios and audiovisuals in different languages, as well graphics.